(Image: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL)
Visitors are being urged to take their rubbish home after a spate of litter was found strewn across Teesdale beauty spots over the summer.
It comes after Councillor Wayne Appleton, of Middleton and Newbiggin Parish Council, said cardboard, wood, paper, and a disposable barbecue had been discarded at parking areas near the Cow Green Reservoir after a weekend of visitors.
Cllr Appleton, who works for Natural England at Widdy Bank in Upper Teesdale, said concerns had also been raised about camper van waste being dumped at the popular site.
He said: "I found cardboard, wood, paper, a disposable barbecue. It had all been left at the weekend. I think the wood had been taken there to light a fire.
"A lot of camper vans park up at Cow Green and some tip the waste out of their chemical toilets onto the grass or into the reservoir, which causes pollution.
"I must say the vast majority of visitors are responsible and take their rubbish home with them, but one or two do not and they spoil it for the rest."
Durham County Council neighbourhood wardens shared an image from Low Force showing discarded food packaging and picnic gear
(Image: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL)
Durham County Council neighbourhood wardens urged visitors and tourists to take food waste and litter home, keep to marked paths, and clean up after their dogs.
They also reminded people not to light fires, campfires, or barbecues unless they are specifically permitted.
Low Force is covered by a Public Space Protection Order, which prohibits fires and barbecues, camping overnight, and a range of antisocial behaviour.
Wardens can issue fixed penalty notices for breaches, with cases potentially leading to prosecution and a maximum fine of £1,000.
The litter concerns have further been heightened by dry weather and the risk of wildfire in the countryside.
A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said: "With recent dry weather, we would encourage anyone visiting the countryside, moorland, and open spaces across the area to take extra care.
"Wildfires can spread very quickly in dry conditions and can have devastating consequences for wildlife, the environment, and local communities.
"Many wildfires are preventable. They are often caused by careless actions such as discarded smoking materials, campfires, and disposable barbecues.
"We would strongly encourage people to avoid using disposable barbecues on moorland, in woodland, and in open countryside.
"Visitors should also avoid lighting campfires, dispose of litter responsibly, and never throw cigarettes or matches onto the ground."
Similar concerns have been raised closer to Darlington, where Cllr Bryony Holroyd said she and her husband collected a large amount of litter during a walk along the Teesdale Way between Blackwell and Broken Scar.
She said: "We know the vast majority of people love the green wilder spaces within easy walking distance of the town and don't leave any waste behind when they go there, there's the quote: take only photos, leave only footprints.
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"It's just a very few who spoil it for everyone else.
"Don't toss litter away in what should be a wild area, if you took anything with you, either take it home again, or at the very least to the closest bin.
"Given the dry weather, do not set fires, or we risk catastrophic wildfires like Spain, France, Suffolk, or the Cairngorms."